I recently played my first alpha +3 game as the axis this past Saturday. However due to an emergency with my pet dog (she is currently in the hospital with internal bleeding, but is recovering well) I was only able to play the first 2 rounds.
GERMANY
In G1, I purchased an aircraft carrier and 2 transports
I attacked France with just land units and Normandy with 3 infantry from Holland and 4 air units. I also attacked Yugoslavia.
I attacked all sea zones except 109, 110 and 91. I attacked 106 with 4 subs and kept them all, but afterwards I noticed that with the destroyer in 109, the cruiser in 91 and all the british air units in England, my opponent could wipe out my 4 subs in 106, but when UK1 came around he retreated his ships to 87 which was a big mistake. Either didn’t see the opportunity or he was worried about my 3 transports in 112, but it seemed like he was pulling back to bait me into sealion, so he should have moved toward Canada and taken out my subs (I won’t make that mistake again).
I was able to disrupt convoys for $3 and I moved 3 of the 4 subs into 121 hoping to eventually get 1 or 2 into 120 which is a pesky sea zone to the UK.
I never took the bait, a least not yet. round 2 I purchased 1 strategic bomber, 1 fighter (I lost 1 in the 111 battle) 10 infantry and 3 tanks. My opponent was surprised that I didn’t buy the 10 transports like I always do, but with the 4 extra casualties, the absent $5 NO for holding London and the early entry of Russia when London falls…… was enough for me to back off, even after he opened it up to me… I decided to stick to my plan. I currently have 13 infantry in Denmark.
What was really messing me up was that Russia was purchasing AA guns and spreading them out along the eastern front. By the time we ended round #2, Russia had 1 AA gun for every territory that mattered. I don’t think I need to tell you all what kinda meat grinder that will become when I need air support for my push toward Moscow. In fact I would go so far to say that because of the new AA gun rule, Russia can slow down any advance that involves air support and may end up being a huge balance issue (nothing is easy for Germany, in fact most options are bordering suicide).
ITALY
Italy did quite well over the span of 2 rounds, in fact they dominated because the UK med fleet evacuated through the suez and the aircraft went with it. by the time Italy got their first turn the french boats were the only thing in their way, so I purchased a transport and an infantry.
Anyway…. to make a long story short, by the end of round 2, Italy had captured all of north Africa including Egypt, as well as Iraq, Syria, Trans Jordon and Gibraltar. by the end of round 2, Italy had all their National Objectives except for the 2 persian territories. I learned that UK action in the med is imperative and if the UK evacuates and leaves Italy alone… the consequences for the allies in Africa will be sever.
JAPAN
As Japan, I decided to hit China hard, and I mean really hard. I wanted to take them out of the game entirely. J1, I purchased 2 transports and 4 infantry which has become my standard J1 for the past few games. Round 2 I purchased a minor IC and placed it in Kiangsu in order to support the Chinese inhalation. At the end of round 2 I had plugged Korea and Manchuria with 4 infantry and 1 fighter each (Russia was not stacking in Amur but I didn’t want to leave that front bare. I have also made big gains in China and I am threatening the rest of the country by backing up their infantry stacks with what seems like overwhelming Japanese odds (tons of air units infantry and artillery). The only thing that concerns me is that America purchased a minor factory, 1 air base and 1 naval base US1 and placed it all in Alaska, they have also established quite the supply line from western USA through Canada.
**SUMMARY **
I may need to reevaluate my reluctance to do Sealion (due to Russia’s commitment to air defense, the UK’s willingness to not defend London aggressively and the apparent KJF strategy for America. Italy is doing extremely well and can support in any direction they choose, or they can easily take all of Africa in 3 or 4 rounds. Japan should take all of China as planned and see if they can Keep those territories and hold off their enemies that will be quickly closing in. A defense of Tokyo will also come in to play if America supplies the Pacific and hits hard from Alaska.
Regardless of what has already happened, the beginning of round 3 is next and Germany will be up. I believe what I do this round and what direction I take with Germany, will determine the outcome of the war.
My opponent has gone on a 2 week WWII pilgrimage in Europe, so we won’t be able to pick up where we left off for a while, and I will have time to gather some advice. What do you think I can do to win the rest of the game.
